In this episode, host Jasmeet Sawhney engages with Anindita (Ani) Sinha, a visionary leader in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. As Vice President of Commercial Operations at Shionogi U.S., Ani brings a wealth of experience in analytics, market research, and field management. She shares her inspiring transition from academia to pharma leadership, offering actionable advice on harnessing data, driving commercial success, and navigating change with the aid of AI and technology. Her passion for building cohesive teams and aligning them to a common truth makes this a must-listen for anyone aiming to shape the future of the industry.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• (03:15) Explains shift from academia to pharma, driven by a love for problem-solving

• (06:00) Pioneering analytics in market access, empowering data-driven decisions

• (11:42) External data trends in the pharma industry, emphasizing the need to ingest and analyze data

• (15:48) Discussion of commercial organizations evolving and of the utilization of AI

• (22:17) Importance of change management and Agile methodology

• (26:18) Knowing team strengths and advising upcoming and senior leadership

• (32:51) How to continue learning and balance both personal and professional time

• (39:22) Jasmeet asks Anindita rapid-fire questions

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Align to a Common Truth: Ani emphasizes the importance of aligning teams across commercial operations, including analytics, market research, and field operations, to a shared, data-driven truth. Doing so enhances cohesion and drives effective strategy in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.

• Leverage AI as a Tool: AI and technology should be used to solve specific problems, improving efficiency and insights in commercial functions, but only after clearly defining the goal. This ensures transformation is purposeful and impactful.

• Foster Curiosity and Drive Change: Building a culture of curiosity and effective change management helps teams adopt new data methods and leadership approaches. Nurturing this mindset prepares them for the evolving pharmaceutical landscape.

RESOURCE LINKS:

Podcast - Leading Minds

Jasmeet Sawhney - LinkedIn

Anindita (Ani) Sinha - Vice President @ Shionogi - LinkedIn

Shionogi - Website

BIOGRAPHIES:

YOUR HOST:

Jasmeet Sawhney is a life sciences industry executive, marketing leader, and serial entrepreneur with deep roots in technology and data analytics. He is currently the global head of marketing at Axtria. Jasmeet has over 20 years of experience in life sciences and has helped build and scale three successful companies. He has received several company and individual awards, including Inc. 500, Deloitte Fast 500, Crain’s NY Fast 50, NJBiz Fast 50, Business of the Year, SmartCEO Future 50, Top CMO, Forty Under 40, and many more.

GUEST:

Anindita Sinha is Vice President of Commercial Operations at Shionogi U.S., bringing 15 years of high-level expertise in pharmaceuticals and biotech. She is recognized for her strategic vision and ability to identify growth opportunities, boost operational efficiency, and lead business development and brand launches. Her track record includes executive roles in both large pharma and startups, driving revenue and building strong alignment among executive teams, stakeholders, and staff. Anindita is passionate about applying analytics to inform strategy and enable data-driven decisions, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes and business results.

On this episode, host Jasmeet Sawhney sits down with Dr. Alexandra Goncalves, VP and Head of Digital Health at Bristol Myers Squibb, to explore how a lifelong learner thrives at the intersection of clinical medicine, technology, and innovation. From leveraging AI in clinical trials to championing personalized medicine and remote patient monitoring, Alexandra shares her bold career moves, her approach to leadership, and how she creates space for continuous growth, even in the busiest of schedules.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• (03:18) Alexandra shares a snapshot of her professional career, making her a lifelong learner

• (06:54) Discussion of AI, data-driven solutions, clinical trials and patient monitoring, and what makes Alexandra a leading mind

• (13:51) Discussion of the changing trends in the personalized medicine space

• (18:52) Adjusting to technology, and Alexandra advises anyone aspiring to be a leader

• (23:41) Alexandra shares personal insights on how she approaches her position

• (25:09) Jasmeet asks Alexandra rapid-fire questions

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Dr. Goncalves made several pivotal career decisions—leaving a prestigious academic post in Europe, transitioning from clinical medicine to clinical device development, and ultimately moving into pharma—each driven by a desire to make a broader impact and push the boundaries of what's possible in patient care.
  
  

• As VP and Head of Digital Health at Bristol Myers Squibb, Dr. Goncalves spearheads initiatives integrating digital technologies, AI, and data-driven solutions to streamline clinical trials, enable remote patient monitoring, and enhance early diagnosis and treatment personalization.
  
  

• Throughout her journey, Dr. Goncalves has remained committed to contributing meaningfully to the healthcare ecosystem. She always asks how she can do more, help more, and drive tangible outcomes for patients globally. Lifelong learning is not just a habit, but a discipline that can be built into even the busiest schedules through intentional structure, curiosity, and daily commitment.

RESOURCE LINKS:

Podcast - Leading Minds

Jasmeet Sawhney - LinkedIn

Alexandra Gonçalves, MD, MMSc, PhD - Bristol Myers Squibb | LinkedIn

Bristol Myers Squibb - Website

BIOGRAPHIES:

YOUR HOST:

Jasmeet Sawhney is a life sciences industry executive, marketing leader, and serial entrepreneur with deep roots in technology, data analytics, and AI. He is currently the global head of marketing at Axtria. Jasmeet has over 20 years of experience in life sciences and has helped build and scale three successful companies. He has received several company and individual awards, including Inc. 500, Deloitte Fast 500, Crain’s NY Fast 50, NJBiz Fast 50, Business of the Year, SmartCEO Future 50, Top CMO, Forty Under 40, and many more.

GUEST:

Alexandra is an internationally recognized academic cardiologist whose unique strength is evident in her business acumen. She serves as VP and head of Digital Health at Bristol Myers Squibb, leading digital health business strategy and execution across the company's portfolio, from clinical development to commercialization.

In this episode of Leading Minds, host Jasmeet Sawhney sits down with Johanna Rossell, SVP and GM Rare Disease at Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc., to explore the evolving landscape of biotech and rare disease treatment. They discuss the critical need for collaboration across the entire healthcare ecosystem—including the FDA, healthcare providers, and researchers—to ensure life-changing therapies reach patients in time. Johanna shares her passion for patient impact, the power of data in demonstrating treatment value, and the importance of breaking traditional silos in pharma to drive innovation. Tune in to hear how Sumitomo is shaping the future of medicine and what it takes to lead with purpose in this dynamic industry.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [3:36] Johanna shares her professional journey through pharma

• [13:06] The difference between rare diseases and regenerative medicine and traditional medicine

• [16:43] Discussion of regenerative therapies and collaboration needed

• [25:56] Johanna shares future innovations and what motivates her

• [36:11] Advice to those who aspire to be leaders and balance personal and professional life

• [41:55] Jasmine asks Johanna rapid-fire questions

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Tissue-based regenerative medicine faces unique challenges, from donor organ sourcing to strict FDA regulations. Unlike traditional drugs, it relies on living tissues, requiring careful transport, testing, and processing to ensure safety and efficacy.

• Regenerative medicine is transforming personalized treatment, especially for rare diseases. Companies like Sumitomo Pharma leverage data and patient registries to improve care while educating families and streamlining the patient journey. Evolving FDA pathways are also helping accelerate access to these groundbreaking therapies.

• Introducing new treatments, especially for rare diseases, requires demonstrating clear value in clinical efficacy in long-term cost-effectiveness and improved patient outcomes. Even without complete data at launch, there must be a commitment to generating evidence over time to prove the drug’s place in the standard of care.

RESOURCE LINKS:

Podcast - Leading Minds

Jasmeet Sawhney - LinkedIn

Johanna Rossell - LinkedIn

Sumitomo Pharma - Website

BIOGRAPHIES:

YOUR HOST:

Jasmeet Sawhney is a life sciences industry executive, marketing leader, and serial entrepreneur with deep roots in technology and data analytics. He is currently the global head of marketing at Axtria. Jasmeet has over 20 years of experience in life sciences and has helped build and scale three successful companies. He has received several company and individual awards, including Inc 500, Deloitte Fast 500, Crain’s NY Fast 50, NJBiz Fast 50, Business of the Year, SmartCEO Future 50, Top CMO, Forty Under 40, and many more.

GUEST:

Johanna has a broad and deep background across consumer goods and healthcare in the U.S. and global geographies. She has led multi-functional teams delivering strong results for companies including Procter & Gamble, Novartis, Merck, Biogen, and Sumitomo Pharma. She has successfully led new products to market in the U.S. and created integrated pre- and post-launch commercial plans, both in the U.S. and globally, including a Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) tissue-based product and several rare disease therapies. In her recent venture as Chief Commercial Officer of the biotech Enzyvant Therapeutics, she led the expansion of one of the few FDA-approved RMAT products, RETHYMIC. In her current role, she serves as SVP and GM Rare Disease at Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc.